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Prepare: ‘But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness’ (Psalm 86:15, NIV). Worship God with these words.
Never gives up
God never gives up on his people. Throughout our readings in Judges, we have seen a pattern of unfaithfulness in the people of Israel: as soon as Joshua died (2:11), in the time of Deborah (4:1), in Gideon’s days (6:1) and now in the time of Samson (13:1). They ‘provoked the LORD to anger’ (2:12) but in his compassion, he repeatedly made plans for their salvation (v 5).
Always has a plan
God always has a plan and this time he chooses an unlikely person to set it in motion. Women in Canaan at this time were in some ways second-class citizens. Childless women were often rejected by their husbands and sometimes even considered cursed. The writer of Judges does not even record her name. This woman, however, chooses to believe God’s word.
Reward and honour
Manoah seems to be a ‘good’ man wanting to honour the ‘angel of God’ whom he later meets, but he lacks his wife’s faith, not accepting her words without proof. He also lacks her common sense at the end of the chapter, convinced ‘Now we’re going to die!’ She is rewarded with the joy of children (16:31 speaks of his brothers) and the honour of choosing her first son’s name.
Respond: You don’t need to be a prophetess like Deborah or a warrior like Gideon to be part of God’s plan. Faith and obedience are enough.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-08-14
Never gives up
God never gives up on his people. Throughout our readings in Judges, we have seen a pattern of unfaithfulness in the people of Israel: as soon as Joshua died (2:11), in the time of Deborah (4:1), in Gideon’s days (6:1) and now in the time of Samson (13:1). They ‘provoked the LORD to anger’ (2:12) but in his compassion, he repeatedly made plans for their salvation (v 5).
Always has a plan
God always has a plan and this time he chooses an unlikely person to set it in motion. Women in Canaan at this time were in some ways second-class citizens. Childless women were often rejected by their husbands and sometimes even considered cursed. The writer of Judges does not even record her name. This woman, however, chooses to believe God’s word.
Reward and honour
Manoah seems to be a ‘good’ man wanting to honour the ‘angel of God’ whom he later meets, but he lacks his wife’s faith, not accepting her words without proof. He also lacks her common sense at the end of the chapter, convinced ‘Now we’re going to die!’ She is rewarded with the joy of children (16:31 speaks of his brothers) and the honour of choosing her first son’s name.
Respond: You don’t need to be a prophetess like Deborah or a warrior like Gideon to be part of God’s plan. Faith and obedience are enough.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-08-14
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
